Lucid Gravity First Drive: Electric SUV Review

Lucid Gravity: A New Contender in the Luxury SUV Market

For years, Lucid has been dedicated to the development of its second all-electric vehicle (EV) – a spacious, van-inspired SUV. This vehicle is strategically designed to challenge established leaders and capture a significant portion of the market currently held by luxury EV and traditional internal combustion engine people movers.

Competitors include models such as the Rivian R1S, Cadillac Escalade IQ, BMW X7, and Audi Q8. Lucid, backed by Saudi investment, sought to engineer an SUV that avoids compromise – a challenging ambition that has eluded many other automotive manufacturers.

Engineering Excellence and Peter Rawlinson's Legacy

Following an initial driving experience with the Gravity, which begins at a price of $96,550, it’s evident that the company’s focus extended beyond mere opulence. The vehicle incorporates a wealth of luxurious features, but also prioritizes advanced engineering.

The Lucid Gravity represents a potential pinnacle of over-engineering. It builds upon the technological foundation established by its predecessor, the Lucid Air sedan, incorporating numerous upgrades and innovations.

Although Peter Rawlinson, the former CEO and CTO of Lucid, transitioned from his role in February, his influence is deeply embedded within the Gravity’s design and functionality.

Performance and Charging Capabilities

While the underlying technology may remain unseen by most drivers, its impact on the driving experience is undeniable. The Gravity boasts impressive specifications.

It achieves an EPA-estimated range of up to 450 miles, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, and offers remarkably fast charging times. Lucid claims the Gravity can gain up to 200 miles of range in just 11 minutes using DC fast charging.

This rapid charging is facilitated by a new “boost mode” which utilizes the rear motor as a transformer, significantly enhancing the charging process.

Pricing and Availability

The combination of luxury, technology, and spaciousness naturally comes at a premium. The vehicle’s pricing structure varies depending on configuration.

The two-row Grand Touring trim starts at $96,550, while the three-row version is priced at $99,450. A more accessible Touring model, with a starting price of $81,550, is anticipated to become available later in the year.

A Deep Dive into the Technology of the Lucid Gravity

The development of the Lucid Gravity SUV leveraged the expertise gained from the Lucid Air Sapphire and the original Lucid Air models. This resulted in the creation of Lucid’s next-generation, or Gen 2, technology platform which forms the core of the Gravity.

Key Technological Advancements

This new system encompasses several crucial improvements. These include a newly developed battery, co-engineered with Panasonic, a redesigned drive unit, an advanced thermal management system, and an updated charging infrastructure.

Lucid asserts that the Panasonic-developed battery provides a 40% faster charging rate when compared to competing electric vehicles.

Charging Capabilities

The Lucid Gravity is engineered to accommodate a wide range of charging standards. It can charge at a rate of 225 kW utilizing 500-volt chargers, such as Tesla’s V3 Superchargers.

Furthermore, the SUV supports charging speeds of up to 400 kW when connected to 1000-volt chargers, mirroring the capabilities of Tesla’s forthcoming V4 Supercharger network, slated for release this year.

Innovative Charging System Design

A unique approach was taken to achieve this versatility. Engineers utilized the vehicle’s motor and inverter to function as a voltage transformer.

This innovative design allows the Gravity to efficiently boost 500-volt charging input to the battery’s necessary voltage, all without the need for additional hardware components.

Enhanced User Experience

To streamline the charging process, Lucid has integrated plug-and-charge functionality. This feature eliminates the need for manual payment initiation or authentication at compatible charging stations.

This ensures a seamless and convenient charging experience for Lucid Gravity owners.

Lucid Gravity and EV Charging Advancements

Recent modifications align with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard, introduced the previous year. This standard’s unveiling coincided with the near completion of the Gravity’s development process.

Significant Redesign Required

According to Emad Dlala, Lucid’s Senior Vice President of Powertrain, the updated standard necessitated a substantial re-evaluation of the Gravity’s foundational architecture. This occurred when the vehicle was approximately 70% complete in late 2022 and early 2023.

Dlala noted that when he joined Lucid in 2015, 400-volt systems represented the cutting edge of technology. However, the team quickly determined the need for advancement.

Evolution of Charging Technology

Lucid developed a novel technology capable of facilitating charging through both existing 500-volt infrastructure and future 1000-volt charging systems. The insights gained from the Air model in 2021 have been comprehensively revised and improved.

Hardware Enhancements in the Gravity

Beyond charging, the Gravity’s development team implemented several hardware modifications. These additions provide redundancy, bolster the infotainment system, and pave the way for the future integration of more sophisticated automated driving capabilities.

Key Technology Partners

Lucid is leveraging leading-edge technology from several key partners:

• Nvidia’s Orin-X processors are utilized for AI perception and video processing within the advanced driver assistance system.
• Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 powers the vehicle’s infotainment system.
• Infineon TC397 manages vehicle dynamics and body control.

Current and Future ADAS Capabilities

Currently, the Gravity features Level 2 automated driving, which automates certain driving functions but still requires full driver attention. Lucid’s objective is to eventually deploy Level 3, or L3, automation.

L3 technology typically enables hands-off, eyes-off driving on highways under specific conditions.

Dream Drive 2 Pro – An Upcoming Upgrade

The company’s forthcoming Dream Drive 2 Pro, an upgrade to its ADAS, is expected to launch soon. It will introduce features such as visualization of up to five traffic lanes, curve speed control, lane change assistance, curb rash detection, and automated parking functionality.

Lucid Gravity: Interior Space for Passengers and Cargo

The Lucid Gravity was engineered with a focus on maximizing space for both passengers and their belongings. This objective was successfully met by the vehicle’s engineering and design teams.

The cabin offers a substantial 120 cubic feet of interior volume, representing a 40% increase compared to the nearest competing model, as stated by Lucid.

Innovative Fuse Elimination

A key factor in achieving this spaciousness was a deliberate decision to move away from traditional fuses. These components require periodic maintenance and occupy valuable interior real estate.

According to Jean-Philippe Gauthier, head of software engineering at Lucid, the company sought a solution to avoid the necessity of fuse replacement and access.

Lucid implemented diffusers – essentially electronic switches – in the Gravity. These diffusers automatically reset upon vehicle shutdown, react more quickly to electrical shorts, and eliminate the risk of incorrect fuse amperage installation.

Furthermore, diffusers allow for deeper placement of the fuse box within the vehicle, freeing up interior space. They also contribute to reduced parasitic losses by powering down unused systems.

Comparative Space Demonstration

To demonstrate the Gravity’s superior roominess, Lucid organized a comparison event in Los Olivos, California.

Vehicles included the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, and BMW X7.

Reporters were tasked with transferring cargo from the Gravity, including items stored in its front trunk (frunk), into the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.

The task proved unfeasible, highlighting the Gravity’s significantly larger capacity. A journalist, standing at 6 feet, 6 inches tall, was able to comfortably recline in the Gravity’s rear seating area with the rear hatch fully closed.

Lucid Gravity: First Drive Impressions

The Lucid Gravity is a substantially sized vehicle, measuring 198.2 inches long and 87.2 inches in width. This places the electric SUV slightly smaller than the Chevrolet Suburban in overall dimensions.

Generally, SUVs of this size often exhibit noticeable interior resonance and can feel cumbersome to maneuver, particularly on curved roadways.

However, the Lucid Gravity defies these expectations.

My initial drive of the Gravity commenced in Nipomo, California, extending along the Cuyama Highway and Tepusquet Road – a narrow, winding route – leading to Los Olivos. The experience proved surprisingly enjoyable and even spirited.

Despite its weight – exceeding 6,000 pounds in the seven-passenger configuration tested – some of this mass was perceptible during driving. Selecting the “Smooth” comfort mode, however, facilitated effortless highway cruising and confident handling of sweeping turns.

Switching to “Swift” mode for the more challenging Tepusquet Road, the adaptive dampers and air suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections and navigated curves without inducing any unsettling body roll. The smoothness was such that a passenger was able to fall asleep during the drive.

The inclusion of rear-wheel steering, available with the Dynamic Package (approximately $2,900 extra), provides an additional 3 degrees of steering angle, adjusting based on vehicle speed.

This rear-wheel steering enhances the vehicle’s maneuverability, reducing its turning radius on narrow roads and even unpaved surfaces, as demonstrated during a rally cross experience arranged by Lucid at a nearby ranch.

Even when driven aggressively on dirt, the Gravity maintained remarkable stability and comfort. Limited off-road capability is also present, with 7 inches of ground clearance expandable to over 9 inches when raised.

A particularly noteworthy feature was the “squircal” steering wheel. Unlike other vehicles equipped with yokes, this squared-off circular wheel contributes to a more agile and responsive feel. The electrically assisted steering is precisely calibrated, ensuring direct and accurate vehicle response.

Lucid’s implementation of one-pedal driving is exceptionally intuitive, allowing for driving on winding roads around Los Olivos without the need to utilize the brake pedal.

In conclusion, after over four years of development, the seven-passenger, all-electric SUV delivers impressive range, efficiency, agility, and practicality. It presents a compelling option for affluent buyers seeking an “American-made” alternative to Tesla.